True Allyship to Disabled People
By Makahla Jackson
I often wonder how accessible the world will be in 2040, fifty years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Will the cries of mothers in waiting rooms force the government’s hand in free healthcare? Can we expect to see more education showcasing Disability history and culture? Or will the burdened souls of our community continue to exhaust all our resources for little to no aid? Disabled advocates have spent their lives fighting for equal rights and liberties for our community. We assemble organizations and committees that strive to see Disabled people thrive within society. But we fall short when we stop there. Disability justice falls on the shoulders of the same marginalized group asking for reform. The weight of a revolution should never lay on the shoulders of the marginalized. This is a collective journey, a journey that should be shared. We need our non-Disabled friends, family, and peers to join us on this journey. But what does that look like when put into action?
Over the last seventy years, social justice movements have become more widely accepted. America’s current climate may not be ideal, but it has given birth to the next generation of activists and social justice leaders. For instance, the #MeToo movement has allowed countless sexual assault victims the freedom and support to stand in their truth. Movements such as the LGBTQIA2S+ movement, climate change, or the Black Lives Matter movement all have one idea in mind: equity and reform to all affected. As Disabled people, we are owed the same level of respect and equity as our peers. Our struggle seems to mimic the that of other marginalized groups; our voices becoming muffled under the guise of “allyship,” which poses a key question: What does allyship look like for disabled people? Though this answer may differ for each individual, a common theme remains: ensuring disabled people can exercise bodily autonomy and are able to access spaces and participate in them on an equal basis with others.
When Disabled people are vocal about our needs society tends to shy away from offering fair treatment, and only cares to accept us when we remain palatable. If we escape the small box society desires to place us in, then our need of empathy and reason begins to slowly evaporate. When we remain quiet about the unfair treatment we receive, it is easier to deter us into submission. It’s easier to ignore the reality of the marginalized than provide assistance when your life gets to remain unaffected.
Ignoring other people’s experience to prioritize one’s own reality is a poor case of judgement. It only solidifies the notion that marginalized groups are not gifted the same human dignity and rights as others. As a Disabled person, seeing the world constantly ignore and belittle our needs is infuriating. The world attempts to discredit or disqualify our experience if it isn’t aligning with their idea of Disability. For example, when Autistic people witnessed the monstrosity that was Sia’s movie Music, many “allies” ran to defend Sia, expressing that it was a film to “support and lift up” the Autistic community in a positive way.
Though many advocates pointed to the deeply harmful scenes in the film and expressed their discomfort, their views were ignored and the video was still distributed. Folks claim to be allies and advocates yet never adhere to the needs of the community affected. Honestly, I am an advocate out of necessity. I enjoy educating others, but the amount of burnout and emotional labor it takes is exhausting.
In light of this, I ask: how can non-Disabled people become better allies?
Do not underestimate the importance of education
If students were given the opportunity to learn about disability, about Disabled people throughout history, maybe society would be more inclined to take part in dismantling the ableist systems in place, but this holds true also for educational spaces outside of formal schooling, like conversations with family and friends, the social media accounts that fill our feeds, and the podcasts we listen to. Actively seek to educate yourself around disability and disability rights.
Go beyond intention
Be mindful of your words and actions. Consider the impact they will have before you actually say or do anything. I know that “people who mean well” may not be actively trying to do any harm, but it’s important to go beyond intentions for accountability. Work on improving your awareness of disability issues and, again, think about the impact of your actions and words.
Be open to what people have to say
To bridge the gap between the non-Disabled and the Disabled communities, we need folks to actively listen and explore false narratives around Disability and illness. To dismantle ableism, we need to work together, and to do that we need open lines of communication. Do not speak for Disabled people. Instead, listen to what we have to say and commit to amplifying our voices.
The disability community does not exist in a vacuum. Our community is part and parcel of society, regardless of how much we are made to believe the opposite, and we need true allies who can help us fight ableism — true allies who will help us put lived experience front and center.
About the author:
Makahla Jackson is a young Black Disabled advocate who resides in Richmond, VA. Makahla is a writer and avid reader who enjoys writing about Healthcare, Disability Culture, and Black History.
